ABOUT AFTERBURN
Built From Inside the Fire Service
The Afterburn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds firefighters' access to advanced decontamination of their personal protective equipment (PPE).
OUR STORY
How Afterburn Started
01 · THE PROBLEM
The Problem Was Visible From Inside the Fire Service
Co-founder Christian Beane is a career firefighter. Over his career, he watched firefighter cancer become something the fire service had come to treat as an expected outcome of the job.
02 · THE TOOL
The Tool Already Existed
Advanced decontamination of protective gear was already available, performed by qualified providers and recognized in national gear-care standards. Nobody needed to invent it.
03 · THE GAP
The Missing Piece Was Access
Departments wanted it. Many couldn't afford it, or couldn't afford it as often as their firefighters' exposures called for.
04 · THE ANSWER
Afterburn Was Built to Close That Gap
Afterburn raises philanthropic funding and directs it to qualifying departments. Qualified independent providers perform the service. Afterburn funds access, one firefighter and one year at a time.
Mission and vision
MISSION
Reduce preventable firefighter cancer by expanding access to advanced firefighter PPE decontamination.
VISION
Every firefighter and family can access the protection, care and support they need before, during and after occupational cancer.
HOW WE WORK
What Guides Our Decisions
01
Fund Access, Not Brands
We fund qualified independent providers based on standards and performance, never a single manufacturer.
02
Match Real Need
Firefighters don't all need identical service. Pooled funding follows actual exposure and equipment.
03
Say What We Know
We cite research as published, label provider data as provider data, and don't overstate what cleaning can do.
04
Report Real Numbers
Progress comes from program data. No projections dressed up as results.
LEADERSHIP & BOARD
Meet the Founders
A career firefighter and a nonprofit strategist, building the program together.
LeadershipFINANCIALS & TRANSPARENCY
How We Handle Every Dollar
Governance, provider qualification, sponsorship methodology and filings.
Transparency
WANT TO HELP?
Sponsor a Firefighter
$500 provides one firefighter with a year of advanced decontamination access.
NEED HELP FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT?
Apply for Funding
If cost is limiting your department's access, Afterburn may be able to help.